How Craft Activities Can Help People with Dementia
Published: 10/05/2025
Right at Home Twickenham & Richmond will be exhibiting craft from clients and carers on May 27th at their office in Sunbury inviting the local community to understand why craft can be so important to a persons well being.
When a loved one is living with dementia, finding ways to connect and engage becomes more important. At Right at Home Twickenham & Richmond, we believe that meaningful activities can create moments of joy, spark memories, and boost overall wellbeing.
Far more than just a pastime, arts and crafts can be a powerful tool in dementia care. Here’s how creative activities support people living with dementia—and how we incorporate them into the compassionate care we provide.
1. Stimulates the Brain
Engaging in a simple art or craft project stimulates multiple parts of the brain—especially areas responsible for focus, hand-eye coordination, and short-term memory. While dementia may affect memory, creativity often remains intact far longer.
2. Boosts Mood and Reduces Anxiety
Creating something tangible, whether it’s a painted rock, a beaded necklace, or a holiday card, can bring a sense of purpose and accomplishment. Gentle, repetitive movements involved in activities like knitting or colouring can also have a calming, meditative effect, helping to ease restlessness or anxiety.
3. Promotes Social Interaction
Crafting is often more fun together. Group sessions, whether at home or in a community setting at one of the Sunflower Cafes, encourage social interaction and shared experiences. This can help reduce feelings of isolation.
4. Triggers Memories
Certain crafts can improve memory recall, especially if the person previously enjoyed similar hobbies. For example, painting a garden scene may remind someone of tending their own flowers. Incorporating familiar themes, colors can help spark recognition and meaningful conversations.
5. Encourages Fine Motor Skills
Simple hands-on tasks—cutting, folding, gluing—can help maintain fine motor control and hand strength, which are vital for everyday tasks like dressing or eating.
At Right at Home Twickenham & Richmond we often encourage arts and crafts to be included in our homecare calls with clients and their families. This includes crafts such as;
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Colouring pages or painting with watercolours
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Crocheting
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Making lovely greetings cards
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Creating memory boxes
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Simple cookery or baking
Whether it’s ten minutes of colouring or an hour spent creating a memory book together, every little moment counts.
For someone living with dementia creating something whether it is a painting, greetings card or tasty sweet snack, can build confidence and self esteem and when creating with one of our carers it can strengthen their relationship and really help to alleviate social isolation.
If you or a loved one could benefit from homecare services, why not call Right At Home Twickenham & Richmond and speak to one of our team on 0203 3763535 . They will be happy to answer any questions you have.
Related articles:
https://www.rightathome.co.uk/twickenham-and-richmond/ https://www.rightathome.co.uk/twickenham-and-richmond/the-services-we-offer/
Other blogs:
https://www.rightathome.co.uk/twickenham-and-richmond/news-item/how-do-you-get-respite-care/
